BeanBlog

Charter's Adventures In Phone Service

2009-02-04T13:38:00.006-06:00

I'm going to allow people to judge this for themselves. You can tell me in your comments if you think this is the level of service we should expect from a land phone line provider.

This is the online dialog between myself and customer support representative:

Thank you for choosing Charter Chat Live! A Customer Care representative from Telephone Support will be with you shortly.
You have been connected to TTM Beth .
TTM Beth : Hello, my name is Beth. Welcome to the Charter. How may I help you today?
Todd Novak: My phone modem is down and we were supposed to have the number forwarded to our cell but it seems to not be working..
TTM Beth : I understand your concern with the phone service. I would be more than happy to help you with this issue. May I ask whom I am speaking with please?
Todd Novak: It's still giving a busy signal when people try to call. This is Todd Novak.
TTM Beth : Thank you Mr Novak. May I have the telephone number and full name listed on your billing account as well as the full address at which you reside?
Todd Novak: xxx.xxx.xxxx
Todd Novak: Todd Merrick Novak
Todd Novak: xxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxx, xxxxxxx, xx xxxxx
TTM Beth : Thank you, can you verify the security code found on the front of your Charter bill? It is located in the upper right hand corner and is 4 digits long.
Todd Novak: xxxx
TTM Beth : Thank you. How did you set up the call forwarding feature. Did you set up unconditional or regular call forwarding?
Todd Novak: I don't know. I was talking to the phone support people and he told me a technician wouldn't be by until tomorrow so I asked if my calls could be forwarded.
Todd Novak: He did say I would have to call again to end that service when things were running.
TTM Beth : One moment please.
Todd Novak: The cell phone I would like my calls to be forwarded to is (xxx) xxx-xxxx
TTM Beth : Thank you for waiting, I'm sorry but it takes between 24 to 72 hours for this to be set up.
Todd Novak: So basically I have to go that long or until the technician gets here tomorrow for my phone to stop giving people busy signals? That can't be right...
Todd Novak: I can't afford to have my phone number out of service that long...
TTM Beth : I am sorry but we will have a technician out tomorrow.
Todd Novak: No, I had this problem before and my number was forwarded without any problem right away.
TTM Beth : I will request this be set up but it can take between 24-72 hour for completion. I will send the form now.
Todd Novak: Can I have the direct phone number to the department that handles that service?
TTM Beth : No, I'm sorry there isn't a direct line, I will send them a form via email.
Todd Novak: Someone there has a phone. I would like someone to contact me within an hour.
TTM Beth : I can not guarantee they will call you but I will submit this request. What number can you be reached at?
Todd Novak: xxx.xxx.xxxx
Todd Novak: This is very important. I'm am expecting critical calls today.
Todd Novak: Is there a voice mail service that calls can go to?
TTM Beth : I understand and will submit this request, no there isn't anything else we can do at this time. I am sorry.
Todd Novak: Tell your managers that they need to work on that or they will not keep customers. Phone service is not internet or cable tv. Lives can depend on it!
TTM Beth : I understand, that is why we do send a technician out within 24 hours. Is there anything else?
Todd Novak: No.
TTM Beth : I see that you have the Unlimited Long Distance Package with 10 features which is a great choice. I do want to let you know that we offer 3 way calling in your area. This would enable you to talk with 2 of your friends or family at the same time. Would you like to add that to your account today?
Todd Novak: This probably isn't the best time to try to sell me on an upgrade.
TTM Beth : I certainly understand. Thanks.
TTM Beth : I would like you to know about an exciting new program we are now offering! Live it with Charter is a free program which offers members an opportunity to earn points per dollar spent on Charter products or services. Save your points and earn great prizes such as Charter services, enter sweepstakes or even trips and other large prizes. It is very easy to register for the program. Just log on to www.liveitwithcharter.com and sign up today and start earning those points.
TTM Beth : I will notate your account of our chat today about . Thank you for entrusting me with your concerns. For all other Charter inquiries please call 1-888-438-2427. You may visit our website anytime at www.charter.net to manage your account, make payments as well as review all our wonderful products.
If you require further assistance, go to www.charter.com/contact
Your session has ended. You may now close this window.

I did receive that call within the hour and my number was forwarded to the cell from that point on. So I guess the moral to the story is, be persistent and a little bit of a pain in the ass!

Looking Forward... With Hope

2008-11-06T08:42:00.010-06:00

A Moment for Hope

When I started this blog it was my intention to avoid politics. It wasn't a superficial or callow decision. I had put more of myself into the 2004 election than I had to give and the results left me disheartened and cynical, not only about that election, but about what was possible in politics. I have often found myself tempted the last few months, to use this blog to chime in but I've managed to resist the urge. However, I did come to understand that when this election ended I would use this space to voice my after thought. I had thought that, that afterthought, would a commentary about the dirt in politics. But November 4th was a transformative moment, for the nation, and for myself. I have been inspired, by my fellow citizens whom have joined with me to make history, and by this amazing leader whom has made his case by talking directly to us, and, by example, has reminded us about the best side of ourselves. I am, in general, a cynic. I don't believe in believing in politicians. But I do believe in Obama. We don't know exactly what we are going to get from him, but what we've seen is that he is poised, sober, and very very thoughtful and brilliant. I believe we are going to have a leader, and one that is dynamic enough to modify his positions to find solutions that work.

Obama wasn't elected because he was black, but he wasn't elected despite it either. It's not that Obama isn't a brother, it's that he's a brother to all of us. We are all in this together, and not just because we're stuck together, but because we are brothers and sisters. We are not going to find that Obama is the perfect politician, and we are not going to see the end of real world problems. We need to not make the mistake, as they did in the 60s, that we're on the verge of The Age Of Aquarius. But at the same time, we really need to take this moment forward with us. We have grown up believing this wasn't possible and I don't believe as a nation we were ready to move this forward this fast, not only to elect an African American to the presidency, but one with a Muslim name. It has given a reason for the last eight years. But most of all, it shows us that this particular man is more than his race and his name. He is a truly remarkable, brilliant man, who has the ability to assess the situations in front of him, work though a strategy, and effectively communicates his message in a way that enagages, captivates, and inspires, the people he makes his case to. His message is inclusive, and it is an example for all of us.

It has been my desire to leave my daughters a world where they have every opportunity I've had to reach their full potential, and have a healthy, happy life. We have been given a lot of reasons to be afraid. Those reasons are not suddenly gone and there will always be threats. But we have taken a huge step in a day. We have sent a message to the world that we truly are what we claimed to be and I believe we are immediately safer because of that. My daughters, too young to understand what's happening now, will never fully understand what a truly historic moment this is. They will take for granted that there was a time in our history that you could only be a white upper class male in America, if you wanted to be president. And I'm glad about that. I will teach them about the progress of this moment, just as I was taught about the civil rights movement of the 1960s. But for them it will be history.

For today, there is reason for hope. And that is something I have not dared to do in a long time. I finally believe my children have a chance for the future I want to leave them.

The Future For Republicans

Take this for what you will. I am not a Republican but I am not so foolish to think that we have seen the last of Republican power. I believe in a balance of power and I can accept that there are needs for checks and balances. What's would be good for Republicans politically is also what will be good for all of us when Republicans do carry power again, which is for the party to become less divisive, and more pragmatic.

The reason Obama won isn't because we know exactly what kind of policies he will give us but because he was calm and poised under pressure, and that he showed respect for the other side. He has been inclusive and promised to be the president of all people, and not just the people whom voted for him. There is a stark difference there to what we got from Bush.

What will the new Republicans be? Will it be about sticking it to liberals, something Obama isn't doing towards conservatives? Because, like the world with globalization, America is changing. A generation is passing and the America that is dawning is not divided with red and blue borders. The liberal is a son or brother to a conservative. The gay or lesbian is a co-worker. Insulting, attacking, and disenfranchising the other side is no longer the winning formula. And it lacks character and dignity.

Obama won because he was positive. He won because he didn't scare people, he made them feel more confident. Obama could not have won without independents and even without some conservatives. The generations are continuing to turn and the country is going to become more comfortable with change as it happens. If Republicans want to tap into that energy, they need to get beyond "liberals suck". Because, though we disagree, it doesn't mean we have to be enemies.

Isabella Suzanne Novak Rules Irish Fest!

2008-08-17T16:04:00.003-05:00

08/16/2008 - At the Milwaukee Summerfest ground four year old Isabella Novak shows off her stuff after only six classes with the Cashel Dennehy Irish Dance School. She gets a cool little cameo but the real fun begins when she's cutting loose off stage!

It's not for the hardcore. This is a little girl having fun. She's been excited about getting on stage for a couple of months now and we're really thankful to Cashel Dennehy and Irish Fest for giving a little girl the chance to strut her stuff in front of a few hundred people.

Standing up for Speed Racer The Movie

2008-06-06T09:42:00.003-05:00

Some people are enamored with words. Reviewers are often some of these people. Their job after all is to write. Writing a review might not be the same calibur of art than writing something to be reviewed, but if it's what you do, you might feel the need to flex your muscles. I, however, feel that the most important thing about writing is communicating a thought or idea clearly and often the more "artistic" the review, the more confused I become about what the writer is trying to communicate. As a reader I'm not really interested in what intellectual arsenal the writer might be trying to show off. I'm interested in what I get out out of it.

The movie Speed Racer has been ripped apart by critics and for sure, this is not a movie for everyone. But it worked for me and not because of all the special effects or action sequences, but because of the very basic, almost universal morals and values of the movie, and about how clear and genuine it is in communicating those values. We live in an era obsessed with deconstructionism, and we've come to expect our media to be more sophisticated and more abstract. But deconstructionism is nothing new, and frankly, it's become overused and often is unoriginal and cliched.

Speed Racer, however, reminds me of the movies I grew up with in the early and mid 1980s. It reflects a clarity of values (and not in a right wing political sense), where a hero takes a stand against a corrupt institution. There is the theme of the odds being stacked against the hero, the hero's idealism questioned, and then rediscovered in a more mature, less dogmatic, and more aware sense. There is a value to this kind of movie for kids, as well as for adults like myself who need to be reminded. It isn't a complicated message and it's quite opaque, but it is relevant and at least it isn't pseudo intellectual posturing. No, life is never this simple and it rarely works itself out so neatly. But when we can escape into the heroes of fiction we take something out of the story that adds to our lives.

I've seen a couple old episodes of the classic cartoon but don't really know much about the Speed Racer story. I'm sure hardcore fans might have legitimate reason to complain that something might be missing from the continuity. It seemed to me, from what I do know, that the essential story is there, but it cuts to the chase. The cartoon had that anime iconography and what the critics are complaining about regarding the manic visuals is the very literal way it is interpreted to film. For me this movie, not unlike Sin City, helped me see the source material for what I discounted the first time around. This is geek kitsch and there might be any number of reasons why it didn't speak to it's critics. And maybe the the most important one is, it wasn't for them. It might be a cliche, but the right one one; this is a movie for the young at heart.

Remember when Republicans hated commies and only bought American?

2008-04-18T16:39:00.006-05:00

It's kind of hard to imagine Ronald Reagan sending business to the U.S.S.R.? But maybe he would have if the Soviets had a couple of billion union-free laborers willing to make make American Girl Dolls on the cheap. Of course, if he did, the Soviets probably wouldn't have gone broke and probably wouldn't have collapsed. For some reason it's okay to do business with totalitarian regimes when it keeps the prices lower.

Of course, the U.S.'s current economic problems couldn't have anything to do with the idea that money and jobs are being shipped out of the country, by the barrel loads, to people who don't spend a cent on U.S. products.

It's kind of hard to imagine Teddy Roosevelt selling out Americans, that he had done so much to protect, to nations that don't recognize the basic rights for workers that he had fought to make law.

What happened to old Jack Arnold who lost buddies in the Korean war and would rip a new one to anyone with a touch of red?

What happened to the Republicans?

They still have their American Flags held up high, never mind that made in China sticker stitched in the corner.

Tina Fey - The Sexiest Woman on TV

2008-04-12T23:11:00.028-05:00

Okay, after a week where absolutely nothing good happened and I couldn't crack a smile even once, I figure it's a good idea for me to post a tacky, cheesy, worthless, and utterly fun topic. I know that I'm not the only straight male who feels this way; Tina Fey is the hottest woman on TV.

First off, lets break down the stereotypes of what men want in a woman. Most of us plateau on playboy by the time we're thirteen. And while I'm certainly not against big boobs, there's something bizarre when they defy gravity. So we all have our own kinks that get to us. Well, Tina Fey is the ultimate woman and here's why:

Brunette - I don't know who came up with the idea that blondes were sexier, but it's bogus. Darker hair is more exotic, more sophisticated, and makes women more mysterious.

Dark Rimmed Glasses - Come on, you know that it worked for Lisa Loeb. Nerdy glasses make a woman sexier. There is nothing sexier than the sexy nerd, whether it be the librarian, the school teacher, or the executive.

M.I.L.F. - Every schoolboy has the fantasy of the teacher who takes advantage of them. EVERY SINGLE ONE! There's not one guy out there who will deny that without lying. Women between 35 and 45 are the perfect age, supposedly prudish, but a sexpot behind closed doors (or so we'd like to believe).

Smart - Smart girls are more intimidating than dumb girls. They're more interesting, more challenging, and more fun!

Neurotic - This is the Yang to Smart's Yin. Vulnerability is sexy. Women have us by the balls. That doesn't mean they should act entitled. Cockiness is tiring and arrogance is unsatisfying. While Guys like to be challenged they don't want women who are inaccessible. Women who act a little insecure are easier to talk to. They're down to earth. So while we very much do want to "hit that", the complete package is someone you can sit and gab and gab and gab with.

Funny - Seriously, like life is not serious enough! Humor is more laid back, more accessible, and just plain needed for making it through this life.

Creative - The Woman is brilliant! Creative women have more passion and are more interesting.

She's Hot - I mean, come on, duh! She's got a cute face, a hot body. It's not the only thing, but we are men after all.

Now you may wonder why a married man like myself can get away with everything I've written above. The answer to that question is two words.

Ashton Kutcher

So if my wife is reading this and fuming at me, as soon she got to those two words she knew I had her. She's nodding her head "yep". That's right, and it's not just my wife. It's all our wives. Ashton Kutcher has brought out the dog in the women of this world. They just can't help but get all hot and bothered at the mere mention of the guy. And we would be threatened except he's a total himbo. I don't think he's a dumb guy but he has this non-threatening childlike persona. You kind of just want to squeeze his cheek and pat him on the head. Even when you catch him sneaking out of your bedroom in the middle of the day.

So there you have it Hollywood, you heard it here first. If you want the ultimate on screen chemistry, Tina Fey and Ashton Kutcher are your pair. The hot librarian and the boy toy. Now, there's a totally worthless and utterly enjoyable movie concept. Just make sure it's Fey writing the script.

BEAN: Interdimensional Mercenary - Now Available For Download

2008-03-25T12:06:00.023-05:00

This is material that I did about ten years ago now (with a few modern edits). I wasn't sure if I was going to make it available because it doesn't reflect the current quality of my work. It also contains some personal reflection of a person that is longer me. But I've decided that it was always going to own me to some degree if I didn't set it out there.

Be aware, it contains some strong language.
Conservatives be warned, contains some pretty liberal commentary.

So anyway, here it is, available for download.
All contents are ©Todd Merrick Novak (me).

Download Links
(Choose one)
RapidShare • MegaUpload

SAMPLE PAGES

The Music in The MacBook Air Commercial

2008-03-22T23:59:00.003-05:00

The song is called New Soul.
It's by Yael Naim.
The album is also Yael Naim.

Yeah, it kind of grows on ya, doesn't it...

John Romita Jr and Ron Frenz on Spider-Man in the 80s

2008-02-06T10:26:00.000-06:00

There are two artists that defined the look of Spider-Man in the 1980s, John Romita Jr. and Ron Frenz.

While Steve Ditko was the original Spider-Man artist (and my favorite) it was the second artist on The Amazing Spider-Man, John Romita Sr., who created the iconic image of the character my generation grew up with. In the early 80s it was John Jr's turn to make his mark. John Romita Jr. made his first memorable mark as the regular artist on Iron Man (with Bob Layton whose inks defined the character for that decade). His first work on the regular Amazing Spider-Man title was issue #204 in 1980. His next issue was #208 and then became the ongoing series artist as of issue #210. With writer Roger Stern their iconic run included the iconic Juggernaut story (#229-230), The death of the Tarantula storyline (#233-236), some awesome Vulture stories (#224, 240-241), but most importantly the ultra-popular Hobgoblin storyline (#238-239, 244-245, 249-250).

Stern and Romita Jr. left Spider-Man two thirds into one of the greatest Spider-Man stories of all time. Their final issue together featured a cliffhanger ending against The Hobgoblin. The issue, #250, was inked by Klaus Janson, whom was most popular at the time for inking Frank Miller on Daredevil (and later on Batman The Dark Knight Returns). When Ron Frenz, with writer Tom Defalco, Janson's inks helped make issue #251 one of the most seamless transitions between creative teams ever despite being mid-story. That three part story is one of the greatest Spider-Man stories of all time.

Frenz first made his splash on Spider-Man in a backup story in Amazing Spider-Man #248 titled "The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man". That story, written by Roger Stern and which only featured the interaction and dialogue between Spider-Man and a young fan, is one of the most fondly remembered Spider-Man stories of all time. Frenz, with inker Joseph Rubenstein (inkers do make a difference) had a classic take on Spider-Man. His Spider-Man was a morph between Ditko and the elder Romita. With Defalco, Frenz's run included the Alien Costume Saga (Amazing Spider-Man #252-258), The Origin of Mary Jane Watson (Amazing Spider-Man #259), An awesome battle against the cosmic Firelord (#269-270) and the continuation of the Hobgoblin Saga (#251, 260-261, 275-276). Unfortunately the run came to a premature end due to some internal politics at Marvel but the stories leading up to that point are some of the best ever on the character.

The images presented here are two very rare Spider-Man posters published between 1983 and 1984. The first is a Hobgoblin poster illustrated by John Romita Jr. I first noticed this poster as a kid on the wall at Capital City Comics here in Madison. I wanted this poster soooo bad but I could never find it until about a year ago when I purchased the copy shown in this photograph on ebay.

The other poster here, Spider-Man Old and New, is drawn by Ron Frenz. The figures on the left side of the poster feature classic 1960s Spider-Man characters. The characters shown on the right side are the "modern" characters that were popular in the 80s. I actually had this poster as a child. The copy on my wall faced a lot of wear and was trashed. I started looking for it a few years ago and found it to be very hard to find. I've finally managed to get my hands on a couple of copies of it, one of which is in perfect condition. The poster holds so much esteem with me that I've created my own version of it, although it pales in comparison to this classic.

Understanding the Value of Comics

2007-12-15T22:11:00.000-06:00

When I was a kid, eight years old, my parents got divorced. I wasn't raised to be particularly religious, but when that happened it was like God died. My parents both loved me but they weren't particularly in the best places in their lives and they fought each other... for me. I felt that I had to choose, that I had to protect them from each other, that I had to bring the light, to take care of them, so that they wouldn't give up. I would never want any child to bare that but I still don't believe it was the wrong thing for me.

The stress affected me. In the course of four years I developed two major diseases. In fourth grade my left knee and right middle finger swelled up to four times their sizes. The pain petrified my right hand and my left leg. I had developed a rare form of arthritis that only a handful of kids in the country had and there was no guarantee that I would walk again. Sometimes my leg would cramp up from the lack of movement and I'd use the hospital bed to raise and lower over my knees so that I could have some movement without extreme pain.

When I was in sixth grade I weighed just over fifty pounds. I was wasting away, always thirsty, starting to wet my bed again, and always very tired and sickly. I was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes, a disease that would require me to take multiple shots of insulin a day, monitor my blood and my diet, and require me to actively keep myself alive every day of my life. I cried when I was diagnosed. The tears didn't last long. But then I had to call my dad and tell him and when he answered the phone he was so upbeat and optimistic. It broke my heart to have to tell him that his little boy, his only child, had a disease that would never go away.

A few months before the first disease, my mom was washing her clothes at a laundromat so I had to go with her. There was a Stop-N-Go next to the laundromat and she bought me a comic book to keep me entertained. It was a reprint of one of the most famous issues of The Amazing Spider-Man and it ended with a cliffhanger ending. I had to get the next issue and I'd visit the Stop-N-Go again and again checking to see if the next chapter was out yet. And when I would find that the next issue still wasn't out yet I'd buy a different issue of Spider-Man (there were four monthly Spider-Man comics being published at that time including the reprint title). One of those comics also had a cliffhanger ending and by the time that next issue did come out, I was hooked. Spider-Man's alias, Peter Parker, was a kid like me, not bad looking, but not someone who girls were lining up for. He'd save the day, but it often cost him with his personal life. He was an orphan raised by his Aunt and he felt responsible for the death of his uncle. Still, he kept doing the right thing, even though it didn't always work out for him. And every now and then, it did.

I always liked heroes. I appreciate the bad boys, like Han Solo, who did the right thing in the end and whom all the girls swooned for and all the boys wanted to be. But I liked the "good boys" better. They were the ones that had to carry the weight while the bad boy was looking cool and doing what was convenient for himself. Luke Skywalker and Superman were my first fictional heroes. And then came Spider-Man whom, at the time when I needed what made him a little more complex, was tailor made for me. All of these characters gave me something to believe in. They helped me escape the blues of the real world. They kept my head high. They were my new Gods.

Being sick as a child might sound horrible but the truth was it was never so bad. My parents put their war with each other on hold. I got more attention from the rest of the world than I ever got before. My dad came by one day with a huge stack of comic books which was like winning the lottery for me. And I never sat there afraid of what was happening to me, I just dealt with it and focused on what it took to get better. Within a couple of months of being diagnosed with the arthritis I was walking on crutches. A few months after that I was back on my feet. For a few years after that I'd feel a little tingle in my joints when the weather changed. Now I barely remember having the disease. And within a week I adjusted to being a Diabetic. I kept super tight control, especially as a kid. I understood what the disease asked from me and I did what I had to, and the truth is, most of the time, I forget that not everyone is Diabetic. It's a major part of my life. But I don't think of it that way.

I don't believe in giving up. The world isn't a perfect place and it often lets us down. But the reason I believe in heroes and in great things is because I believe in me. I'm not saying I'm a hero, but when I can't find the ideals of heroism in the world around me, I can find them in myself and that way I know they are real. I'm not perfect but I believe in doing the right thing because it's the right thing to do. Life's not always simple, sometimes it's muddy and gray, and sometimes there is real tragedy that you can't find anything good in. And sometimes we forget to be our "better selves". But for someone like me, someone who doesn't believe in a particular God or has any idea what the cosmic answers are, there is still room for faith.

I wholeheartedly believe that comics can tell any kind of story. I appreciate how comic books have "grown". I appreciate that comics "aren't just for kids anymore" and how deconstructionism has made comics more "sophisticated". But there is still a place both inside that and outside that, for stories that are fantastic, that blast us off, and give us something to believe in. I'm an artist and a storyteller and I've decided it's time to get on with it. There are stories that I'm craving that no one is doing so I'm going to do them myself. And some of it will be relevant, and some of it will be indulgent, and some of it will be provocative, but what I really want to do is tell stories that allow for people, old or young, to believe in something.

Fall 2007 Must See TV

2007-10-24T20:18:00.001-05:00

A couple of years ago I rarely ever watched TV. That was just one symptom of a number of symptoms which were attached to a much larger problem: Taking Life Too Seriously. Very often I find myself surrounded by people who are either apologetic about their TV viewing or whom talk about how there are so many better things to do rather than watch TV. I get it, you think it says something about you and you're playing the saying something about you game. Great for you. Boring to be around you...

I love TV. For one, real life has real problems. I want to forget about my problems and get sucked into imaginary problems for an hour. I want to care about something which has no consequence to my life. Another great reason is because TV is really really good now. It's not the 80s or the 90s anymore. The bar has been raised, our generation is the creative generation. TV doesn't dull the mind for us, it challenges us to kick ass!

MY Must See Download TV
These are shows that if I miss the airing I will make sure to download every week.

Desperate Housewives
Sunday ABC - Basically this is just really good junk food for the mind, and as someone who compulsively thinks too much, I find it very enjoyable. The show doesn't take it self too seriously and that's why there is no baggage watching it. The fact that there is actually quite a bit of thoughtful character development is underplayed. The show is smarter than it sells itself and that there is the underlying reason it's so good.

Heroes
Monday NBC - The first season of Heroes was hard for me to get into. It was sort of like Lost Light. It was the origin season and it took til the end to get the characters to interact (or do much of anything). Still, the characters were strong and the plot was strong, so it was a good show. This season it's really good. Finally we get to see the characters react to each other and exist in their world out side their "destiny" which overshadowed the first season. I'm thrilled to see Peter start to kick ass. It's dark but thankfully the show has Hiro who keeps alive that optimistic spirit of hope.

Gossip Girl
Wednesday CW - No, seriously, it's really really good.

Yes, it is a teen drama. But you know, I always kind of liked teen dramas they just got so stale and popcornish. They were cliche, poorly acted, and felt, well, scripted. What makes Gossip Girl so good is the characters. The two leads are extremely like-able.

Oh, and most of the characters actually look like high school kids, not thirty year old actors. Their flaws are pretty real and things aren't wrapped up with a nice morality play bow at the end of every episode. And yet the show does present values. I think it's the smartest, most real, and best teen show I've seen. It's brilliant that they put the first episode as a free download on iTunes because I would never have checked this out if I didn't seen it was a free download. But now that I'm in, I'm hooked.

Yeah, okay I'm a girl. So what?

The Office
Thursday NBC - Still without a doubt my favorite show on TV. It's funny, it's smart, it has soap opera qualities but it doesn't milk them or overplay them. It has a relevant quality that strikes home (as someone who has worked for a heartless corporation... in the past). This season has some new twists. Ryan, who has always been a pathetic apathetic dweeb is now the big boss man and his true colors are flying out. The reason it's so funny is because it's so true to life.

Grey's Anatomy
Thursday ABC - I didn't watch this show last season mainly because I fell behind, planned to get caught up and then gave up. The show committed the cardinal sin, it changed it's schedule and went up against The Office (Don't F with The Office Bitch!).

But I watched the first episode this season and I was amazed how easy it was to get back in. The show hasn't really gone anywhere (okay, it has but not in ways I care about) but the characters are just so well written. I find myself surprised by the plot developments, not just because they don't just go the way I thought they would but also because I don't feel the way I thought I would about it. It's a very empathetic show. The characters are messed up, they do selfish things, they act like jerks but in a real life sort of way and you end up feeling for them. The addition of Meredith Grey's half sister Lexie to the cast seems like a contrived plot device but the character ends up being the like-able breath of fresh air the show needed and the storyline has been really, well, human.

This show isn't as hard to jump into as it looks so you might want to download it since you'll be watching The Office on Thursday nights!

My Name Is Earl
Thursday NBC - This show is a really great spoof comedy movie in TV form show. It doesn't ask you to do too much except to sit back and enjoy it. The humor is smart but low ball but it's not the dirty whore begging you to laugh at it like we get from shows like Family Guy. And the show actually has morals in it. It has heart behind it and even though that's not vogue, it's hard for me to enjoy a show or movie without someone sympathetic for me to root for. This season Earl is in prison and you'd think that'd get old pretty fast but this show proves how dynamic it can be by changing the formula.

My Casual Viewing List
These are shows that I always enjoy and often watch when they are on, but don't go out of my way to view.

Brothers and Sisters
Sunday ABC - A good character driven show that addresses politics. The show plays it a little too politically safe to really be realistic but it does approach things from a human point of view and I think it shows social progress that we get to see issues like this on the networks now.

Private Practice
Wednesday ABC - This is a spin off of Grey's Anatomy. I haven't watched many episodes yet but it seems to be a little lighter in tone.

30 Rock
Thursday NBC - I feel no emotional investment in this show yet but every time I watch it I laugh. It's really smart and really funny. Plus, that Tina Fey is a MILF.

Oh, and of course I am eagerly awaiting the return of Lost this winter!

Okay, you got my recommendations, now waste a little life guilt free..

If you'd like to leave me your comments please consider stopping by my forums to post your comments.

Cuban Shredded Pork

2007-09-09T22:54:00.000-05:00

These recipes are my dad's and this pork is AWESOME! He hasn't been making this that long for us but my wife and I are in love with this recipe. We've both made it once and it's super easy. I don't think he'd mind me posting it here.

Cuban Shredded Pork

Ingredients:
1. 4 lbs pork butt/shoulder roast with or without bone
2. 3 finely diced cloves of garlic
3. Juice from 1 lemon or line
4. Black Pepper and Salt to taste
5. 1 Teaspoon dried oregano
6. 1/2 cupt water

Directions:
1. Trim any outer layer of fat from pork roast.
2. Place all ingredients in a tall baking pan and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
3. Bake in oven at 325 degrees for 2 1/2 hours.
4. Remove foil (watch for steam which can burn when removing foil)
5. Using two forks pulling in opposite directions, shred pork, removing any large pieces of fat and bones.

Serve with:

Jim's Mediterranean Rice

Ingredients:
1. 4 cups water
2. 2 cups Jasmine or Bastante Rice
3. 1 tsp curry powder
4. Salt and Pepper to taste
5. 1/4 tsp cinnamon
6. 1/8 tsp ground cloves
7. 1/2 cup raisins
9. 1/4 cup sliced almonds
10. 1 tsp chicken soup base

Directions:
1. Boil water in 2 quart sauce pan.
2. Add all ingredients and stir until mixture begins to boil.
3. Cover the pan with a lid and cook about ten minutes at the lowest possible flame.
4. Uncover lid and rake rice with a dinner fork.
5. Taste Rice and if rice needs more cooking add water as needed, cover lid, let simmer one minute, turn off heat, and let sit covered several more minutes.

Cuban Black Bean

Ingredients:
1. 1 lb. dry black beans
2. 2 quarts water
3. 1 tsp bacon fat
4. 6 finely diced garlic cloves
5. 1 large diced onion
6. 1 tablespoon wine vinegar
7. 1/2 can tomato paste
8. 2 teaspoons salt
9. Black Pepper to taste
10. 1/2 tsp cumin
11. Option: 1 finely diced jalepeno if you like spicy

Directions:
1. Place all ingredients in a pressure cooker and simmer under pressure for 40 minutes.
2. Release pressure and simmer under low fire until all liquid becomes thick like black gravy. Do not overcook beans so that they become mushy.

Enjoy!

If you would like to leave a comment or you have a question you can respond to this post at my forums.

Video On The New iPod Nano

2007-09-05T23:12:00.000-05:00

Apple has just announced the release of the new iPod Nano which now plays video. The image to the left is from their website and I believe it represents the actual size of the screen. This Nano comes with the same drive space as the previous nanos, 4 or 8 GB, so you're not exactly going to stuff a lot of video on them although that's the same with the iPhone. If you really want a serious video player you should probably still consider the full sized iPod.

While the overall size doesn't appear to have grown to increase the potential screen size the new Nano appears to have gotten wider yet shorter. Unfortunately this makes it less sleek and it's going to be harder to slide into small pockets. While the added function of video is nice, let's be serious here, if you want to watch a movie, you need a bigger screen or you're going to lose your sight. I love my iPod Nano and while I've been considering picking up an additional Video iPod, I don't think I'll be investing in this one. In fact, I'm glad that we have two of the older generation iPod Nanos in our household as it looks like they will no longer be carried, because the sleek design fits my purposes much better.

I think Apple is making a mistake by discontinuing the old design and not allowing the option for it. Video is a cool feature, but it's not what I got my Nano for.

You can reply to this topic at my forums.

Comic Picks - August 2007

2007-08-30T01:25:00.000-05:00

All Star Superman
By Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely

When I was a kid I loved Superman. Most of my exposure was the movies with Christopher Reeve who embodies the spirit of my generation's Superman and the Super Friends cartoons which, well, were nice for me as a kid. When I started collecting comics when I was eight, however, I was all about Spider-Man. Superman comics just weren't that fun in the 80s. I've now broken Superman down into the 3 versions that I think work:

The Siegel-Schuster/Fleischer era which was so awesome with it's art deco style and it's iconic characterizations.
The Silver-Age/1950s anything-can-happen/15 kinds of kryptonite/loads of fantasy Superman.
The Christopher Reeve movies (1 & 2).

All Star Superman takes the best of all these eras and finally does Superman right again. It doesn't have have that super dense continuity that's taken over comics, all the Silver-Age fantasy is there but played straight yet not so straight that it's not fun anymore. Frank Quitely's design borrows heavily from the Fleischer era with an EC Comics Sci Fi twist. This takes the best of the 40s, 50s, and 80s and brings it all together in a comic that you don't have to follow monthly to understand. All Star Superman is a superhero book for people who like superheroes but aren't geeks about it.

Sleeper
By Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips

I'm currently on the third trade paperback of Ed Brubaker's Sleeper and I'm totally addicted! The basic plot is very similar to the Movie The Departed (which kicked ass!) but with a little more espionage and, yes, it does take place in a world with superheroes, but it's very easy to forget that. This is more a crime comic than a fantasy comic and it's probably the most absorbing comic I've read this year! Everytime I finish a trade I kick myself because I didn't buy the next one. This is brought to you by the perfect team of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, who I want to give credit to because everyone can see I drool over Brubaker's writing, but Phillips is really underappreciated and he really sets to mood and style of the story. This book kicks ass! There is a prequal to this comic but I really recommend people start with this first trade Out In the Cold. I haven't read the prequal yet and I'm sure it's good but the art's not by Seann Phillips and it's not really Sleeper without Phillips (I'm really picky about continuity of art). Fortunately the prequal is "choose to read" and not essential.

Please feel free to leave your comments and feedback at my forums.

Blockbuster Blows It!

2007-08-17T23:27:00.000-05:00

Big Business Throws Away Advantage by Reducing Benefits While Raising Rates!

A couple of weeks ago I rated Blockbuster Online to Netflix. While I tried to be as impartial as possible in presenting the facts I think it's pretty clear that I personally favored what Blockbuster offered! Unfortunately now I have to write a rebuttal.

Blockbuster has raised their monthly rates and offers less for that cost. Previously you could return your online rentals to the store and receive a free rental for each return. If you averaged three rentals a week, the way I did, then you would get three more rentals a month. You also got another free rental via online coupons. Well, Blockbuster did away with the online coupons and now the most free rentals you can get a month for an exchange is five. In other words, I get 8 less rentals a month than I previously would.

Suddenly Netflix is starting to sound a little more appealing. What worries me about what Blockbuster is doing is because it was only a few months ago that they increased their benefits. In other words it was a lure, or as I like to call it, the Wal-Mart strategy. It's worth supporting the other guy because if Netflix didn't exist Blockbuster wouldn't offer us anything! Thank god for competition!

You can comment about this subject at my forums.

The Most AWESOME New Orleans Barbeque Shrimp Recipe EVER!!!

2007-08-01T13:17:00.000-05:00

This is a dish I first had on my honeymoon, over six years ago now, in our favorite restaurant in New Orleans. My wife, who had eaten there in the past, told me about the barbeque shrimp and after trying it I fell in love. I asked the waiter if there was a cookbook that carried the recipe and he returned from the kitchen with a sheet of paper that had the recipe on it. Now that is service! Warning: This is fattening, however it is worth it! As my motto goes, Everything in moderation, including moderation.

Recipe Serves 2 as an Entree, 4 as an Appetizer

16 Jumbo Shrimp (12 per pound, about 1 1/2 lbs.) with heads and unpeeled
1/2 cup Worchestershire
2 Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice (about 2 Lemons)
2 teaspoons freshly ground Black Pepper
2 teaspoons Creole Seasoning
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cubed
French Bread for dipping

In a large skillet combine the shrimp, Worshestershire, Lemon Juice, Black Peppers, Creole Seasoning, and garlic and cook over moderately high heat until shrimp turn pink, about 1 minute on each side. Reduce heat to moderate and stir in butter, a few cubes at a time, stirring constantly and adding more only when butter is melted. Remove skillet from heat. Place the shrimp in a bowl and pour sauce over the top. Serve with the French Bread for dipping.

Please feel free to leave your feedback at my forum.

Netflix Vs. Blockbuster Online - Which Service is Better?

2007-07-31T14:02:00.000-05:00

Both Netflix and Blockbuster offer similar packages. Depending on the package you order you get a certain number of movies sent to your house at a time (that you've preselected and are stored in your queue). Both sites are now pretty comparable with their bells and whistles and both site have comparable prices (Netflix does offer more packages, although what they offer that Blockbuster doesn't are the more pricey packages that are probably going to be less appealing to most subscribers. The way it works is that you store a number of movies in your queue, your sent a certain number at a time (in the most popular case, three) they come in an envelope you can use to return it and when they are returned you are sent another movie per return. There are no late fees, only one monthly price, and you get more rentals for the price the faster you return them.

Netflix does offer one service that Blockbuster doesn't, you can stream movies (not download) and watch them on your PC. This is limited to up to 17 hours of movies for the most popular plan. So if you want to watch movies as you stream them on your PC, then this might interest you. If you have a slow connection or you aren't interested in watching movies on your PC, this isn't going to do you much good (and you can't watch these on your iPod because you can't save the files).

Blockbuster has an advantage as well. They have about 9,000 stores nationwide. For both services, when you ship your movie back, you have to wait for the movies to arrive before a new one is sent. With Blockbuster, if you return your rental to the store you get a free rental (any movie or game) at the store plus, your next selection will be mailed right away, you don't have to wait for them to be mailed back. This doubles the number of rentals you get for the price plus cuts the turn around in half. The in store rentals still need to be returned by a certain date (although Blockbuster has a week grace period after the due date now before charging a fee and as long as you return the movie withing a month of the time that the grace period is up, you will only be charged $1.99 for what Blockbuster calls a restock fee). On top of that Blockbuster gives you e-coupons that you can print from your computer and can be used for more free rentals in the store (the number of e-coupons depend on your plan). So if you want to watch a lot of movies, live near a Blockbuster location, and get the most bang for your buck, Blockbuster blows Netflix away. However, if you don't watch movies very fast, don't need more than three a week, don't live near a Blockbuster, or find it really inconvenient to go to the store, this advantage isn't really going to make a difference to you.

If you watch a lot of movies and live near a Blockbuster store, then Blockbuster is far and a way the better deal.

If you want to stream movies, Netflix currently is the only one of the two that offers that service.

If you're only looking to watch the number of movies on DVD that your plan sends you per your plan, it probably doesn't matter which service you want. In that case, I'd review both sites, if there are any more obscure titles you are interested in, find out which service carries more of what you are looking for, and make your selection that way.

Personally, I always hated Blockbuster growing up. I'd build up late fees and then I'd avoid going back because I knew the fees were waiting for me (besides this, I saw it as more progressive to shop at the local video stores, which I still like to support, however there are none in my neighborhood these days). When I first looked into an online rental service I saw very little noticeable difference between the two packages (this was before Blockbuster incorporated their stores into the program) and I chose Blockbuster because they had movies I was looking for that Netflix didn't (that isn't to say that Blockbuster has a better selection, they just had what I was looking for). The service has not been without its bumps. There are times when for whatever reason their is a delay shipping the next movie (although I've heard this complaint from Netflix users as well). But this issue has gotten a lot better, the responses to problems has gotten quicker, and I'm even happier going to the stores now because I can keep the movies for a looooong time without fees and even when I do get a fee it is very small. Because I rent frequent movies I'm really happy now that Blockbuster has incorporated the stores. So in my case, Blockbuster is a much better deal. That said, I'm not sure everyone watches movies as frequently and as fast as I do. But on the flip side, I'm not that interested in streaming movies and I don't know how many people are so I don't know if the Netflix advantage is gives them an edge or not.

From what I can see, Netflix, as a business, has the biggest advantage because they have the name recognition and because Blockbuster's old days of late fees has soured their reputation. But competition has forced Blockbuster to make adjustments and in doing so the the stores have become more serviceable and when returning online to the stores, the online service offers more bang for the buck than Netfix is able to.

Please feel free to leave your feedback with your experiences at my forum.